Meetings in South Dakota – REAP Higher Profits with Clean Energy

Come to a meeting to learn about REAP, the Rural Energy for America Program. Renewable energy and energy efficiency projects can cut your costs or generate new income. USDA’s REAP program provides grants and loan guarantees to farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses nationwide. Some use REAP incentives to upgrade to more efficient ventilation, pumps, coolers, insulation, or heating and cooling systems. Others now generate their own energy with solar panels, wind turbines, biogas or biofuels.

Hundreds of farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses are making greater profits and slashing energy costs with REAP.

Join the Environmental Law & Policy Center, the South Dakota Famer’s Union, River Electric Power Cooperative and your local Touchstone Energy Cooperatives to learn how you can take advantage of REAP.

At the meetings, experts will share important information about program eligibility, energy audits, and other specifics about applying. There will be opportunities to ask questions about REAP and find out if it’s right for specific farms, businesses or communities.

The REAP was included in the 2008 Farm Bill and is administered through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). REAP provides grants and loan guarantees to farmers and rural small businesses for renewable energy (bioenergy, geothermal, hydrogen, solar, wind and hydro power) and energy efficiency projects.

Meeting Dates and Locations:

Tuesday, December 14

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Codington County Electric Cooperative

3520 9th Ave SW
Watertown, SD

Wednesday December 15

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Swiftel Center

824 32nd Ave
Brookings, SD

Thursday December 16

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Beresford Public Library
115 S. 3rd St
Beresford, SD

Learn How You Can REAP Higher Profits with Clean Energy – Information from December 15 Briefing

On December 15, 2010, the Environmental Law & Policy Center and USDA Rural Development’s North Dakota office presented a webinar on REAP, the Rural Energy for America Program. Renewable energy and energy efficiency projects can cut your costs or generate new income. USDA’s REAP program provides grants and loan guarantees to farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses nationwide. Some use REAP incentives to upgrade to more efficient ventilation, pumps, coolers, insulation, or heating and cooling systems. Others now generate their own energy with solar panels, wind turbines, biogas or biofuels.

Hundreds of farmers, ranchers and businesses are making greater profits and slashing energy costs with REAP.

Mindi Grieve of the Environmental Law & Policy Center and Dennis Rodin of USDA’s Office of Rural Development explained the program and answered questions.  You can listen to the webinar and view slides from the discussion to learn how you can use REAP to make your energy efficiency or renewable energy project a reality.

Webinar Recording

USDA REAP Presentation

ELPC REAP Success Stories and Application Tips